FOMC Skips June, But Signals Hikes Not Done Yet
FOMC Skips June, But Signals Hikes Not Done Yet As widely expected, the FOMC decided unanimously to refrain from raising rates at today’s meeting. However, the Committee continued to say that “additional policy firming” may be appropriate. Furthermore, the median dot for 2023 shifted up by 50 bps. That is, most FOMC members believe that […]
Today’s FOMC Will be a Key Focus for China and Hong Kong Stocks
Today’s FOMC Will be a Key Focus for China and Hong Kong Stocks China proxies; Hang Seng Index, Hang Seng TECH, and Hang Seng China Enterprises have outperformed S&P 500 & MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan since 31 May. This outperformance has been reinforced by more impending monetary policy easing measures from China’s central […]
US May CPI Inflation The Main Dish Today
US May CPI Inflation The Main Dish Today US stock markets retained positive momentum yesterday with the three main indices rising by 0.55% (Dow) to 1.5% (Nasdaq). The S&P 500 rose by almost 1%, closing above the August 2022 top. Tech bell weather Nasdaq cleared that same technical hurdle earlier this month. Stock markets embrace […]
A Busy Week for Central Banks
A Busy Week for Central Banks Sentiment is cautiously bullish into the next US CPI figure, due tomorrow, and the next FOMC decision due Wednesday. U.S. inflation is expected to have fallen to 4.1% in May from 4.9%, and core inflation is estimated to be lower at 5.3% from 5.5% published the previous month earlier. […]
Chinese Markets Unmoved By This Morning’s Price Data
Chinese Markets Unmoved By This Morning’s Price Data US weekly jobless claims, of all things, was responsible for yesterday’s main market move. Applications rose from 233k to 261k, more than the 235k expected. It triggered a US bond rally which dragged European peers higher as well. While it doesn’t change expectations for a pause at […]
Surprise BoC Hike Fuels Hawks Around the World
Surprise BoC Hike Fuels Hawks Around the World The surprise 25bp hike from the Bank of Canada (BoC) yesterday sent shockwaves across the financial markets. BoC decision to resume its rate hikes after a two-meeting pause and the surprise 25bp from the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) a day earlier fueled the central bank hawks […]
Weak Chinese Trade Data Add to Growth Worries
Weak Chinese Trade Data Add to Growth Worries German Bunds outperformed US Treasuries during European trading hours following an unexpectedly strong decrease of inflation expectations in the ECB’s April Consumer Expectations Survey. The divergence between the two became even larger as US Treasuries started underperforming (especially at the front end the curve) during the US […]
Reserve Bank of Australia Raised Policy Rate Further by 25 bps
Reserve Bank of Australia Raised Policy Rate Further by 25 bps A disappointing US non-manufacturing ISM was yesterday’s defining moment for FI and FX trading. Up until the release, the post-payrolls momentum still pushed US rates and the dollar gently higher. Afterwards, intraday fortunes changes, the first Pavlov reaction didn’t really gain traction afterwards. Turning […]
US and Taiwan Set to Sign the First Deal Under a New Trade Talks Framework
US and Taiwan Set to Sign the First Deal Under a New Trade Talks Framework Core bonds enjoyed another solid bid yesterday, further unwinding ‘hawkish sentiment’ that reigned since mid-May. Chinese inspired risk-off and softer than expected national CPI data from Germany (HICP 6.3% Y/Y from 7.6%) and France (6.0% from 6.9M%) supported the move. […]
What if Russia Didn’t Follow OPEC’s Output Cuts?
What if Russia Didn’t Follow OPEC’s Output Cuts? The US 2-year yield fell sharply, while the S&P500 ended flat after hitting a fresh high since last summer on optimism that the US will finally agree to raise the debt ceiling. The House will vote today to decide whether the debt limit bill gets approved at […]
One Step Closer to Debt Ceiling Deal – And a Fed Hike
One Step Closer to Debt Ceiling Deal – And a Fed Hike The holiday shortened trading week starts tense but on an optimistic note as US President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy finally reached an agreement to raise the debt ceiling. The deal must get approval in a congressional vote on Wednesday. US […]
Forex and Cryptocurrency Forecast
Forex and Cryptocurrency Forecast EUR/USD: Dollar Awaits U.S. Bankruptcy The dollar has been rising since May 4. Last week, on May 26, the DXY Index reached 104.34. It hasn’t been this high since mid-March 2023. What is driving the U.S. currency up and, consequently, pushing the EUR/USD pair down? According to analysts at Commerzbank, “the […]
US PCE Deflators and Durable Goods Orders Scheduled
US PCE Deflators and Durable Goods Orders Scheduled UK bonds crashed for a second day straight with yields adding 10.6-19.2 bps across the curve. UK money markets discount an additional 100 bps tightening by December following the big upside CPI surprise Wednesday morning. Sterling initially revisited YtD highs but unable to force a break higher, […]
Fed Minutes Depict Uncertainty Surrounding Future Rate Hikes
Fed Minutes Depict Uncertainty Surrounding Future Rate Hikes The minutes from the May 2-3 Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting reiterated that curtailing inflation remains the principal objective of the Fed. On the current state of the economy, the Committee members noted that “economic activity had expanded at a modest pace in the first quarter. […]
RBNZ Monetary Policy Statement May 2023
RBNZ Monetary Policy Statement May 2023 The RBNZ tightened by 25 points to 5.5 percent and expressed confidence that this will be sufficient to bring inflation back to target. We continue to see risks that the large migration surge will ultimately require more action after July. RBNZ Monetary Policy Statement, May 2023 The RBNZ increased […]
Fed’s 2 Biggest Hawks Yesterday Coloured Trading
Fed’s 2 Biggest Hawks Yesterday Coloured Trading The Fed’s two biggest hawks yesterday coloured trading which until then turned out to be non-directional. Kashkari from the Minneapolis Fed said it’s a close call between a pause and a hike in June, adding that the former wouldn’t mean tightening is over per se. St. Louis Fed […]
EUR/USD Trying to Extend Bottoming Out
EUR/USD Trying to Extend Bottoming Out U.S. Treasuries and German bunds parted ways Friday after a combined 10 basis point rise the day before. U.S. yields still rose between 1.3and 4.8 basis points, with the belly underperforming. They easily overcame a setback in the early hours of U.S. trading when Fed Chairman Powell said credit […]
US Debt Theater: Final Act?
US Debt Theater: Final Act? Risk sentiment remains poor as the US couldn’t reached an agreement on its debt ceiling. But House Speaker McCarthy hinted that an agreement is possible within days. Despite both sides being far apart, everyone knows the catastrophic consequences of an eventual US default, and no one is ready to push […]